Pesto Shrimp Pasta Recipe

grilled pesto shrimp with linguine pasta

There is nothing to not love about this pesto shrimp pasta recipe. Flavorful grilled shrimp, spinach and chive linguine and pesto sauce all from Trader Joe’s for an easy and delicious seafood dinner.

grilled pesto shrimp with linguine pasta

Pesto Grilled Shrimp

with Spinach & Chive Linguine Pasta

Did I mention you can pick up everything you need at Trader Joe’s for this easy shrimp pesto pasta?

I really like Trader Joe’s Spinach and Chive Linguine Pasta, and I buy the refrigerated section pesto,

not the jar version on the shelves. The pesto tastes fresh—though of course homemade would be better,

but than this wouldn’t be a quick and easy seafood dinner recipe I promised.

trader Joe's easy dinner pesto and shrimp pasta

Whenever I visit Trader Joe’s I always pick up a bag of the frozen shrimp.

This pesto is also a staple in my house. Outside of this recipe I also use it to mix with mayo for sandwiches.

Don’t knock it until you tried it.

how to make pesto grilled shrimp

How to Properly Defrost Your Shrimp

Usually I take the bag of frozen shrimp out of the freezer the night before and place it in the refrigerator.

Then, I take the shrimp out of the package and thoroughly rinse it and pat it dry.

The shrimp is ready to use once it’s completely dry.

Grilled Shrimp with Pesto pasta

If I forget to defrost the shrimp the night before,

I take the shrimp out of the package and place it in a bowl of cold water.

Put the bowl of shrimp water back in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.

Take out your defrosted shrimp and rinse thoroughly.

pesto grilled shrimp pasta

Make sure the shrimp is completely dry to start cooking with it.

It’s also important to not defrost any protein in room temperature.

Always defrost in the refrigerator to properly defrost. 

Other Shrimp Recipes You May Like

Skinny Shrimp Scampi

Trader Joe’s Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp & Crab Fra Diavolo

 

What Pasta is Best for Pesto Sauce?

The recommendation is to use fusilli or rotini pasta so that the curves of the noodle hold more sauce.

But, I say any pasta with a little thinkness to it tastes good with pesto.

Linguine is a thicker noodle that works really well with this dish.

 

grilled pesto shrimp with linguine pasta

Pesto Grilled Shrimp & Pasta Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 12 frozen shrimp, defrosted
  • 1/2 package of Trader Joe's linguine
  • 1/2 container Trader Joe's pesto
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano

Instructions
 

  • Ideally, you would defrost the shrimp in the morning, by taking them out of the package and leaving them in cold water. Then patting them completely dry.
  • In a bowl mix 1 heaping tablespoon of pesto, red pepper flakes, chopped garlic and salt & pepper. Add the shrimp and allow to marinate.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package.
  • Drizzle olive oil on a skillet and wait for it to get super hot. Add shrimp, wait a minute for them to turn pink, then flip over. Lower heat and remove the shrimp from the skillet, and set aside.
    Note, shrimp cooks super fast, so remove it before you think it's done!
  • Drain the pasta and then add to the skillet, on low heat.
  • Drizzle additional olive oil into the pan. Add the remaining pesto. Toss serve immediately topping with shrimp and a heaping sprinkle of shaved parmigiana.

Notes

 

Pin the Pesto Shrimp Pasta Recipe for Later

pesto shrimp and pasta recipe

1 Comment

  • Reply Sausage Peppers Onions and Potatoes Skillet | Besos, Alina January 22, 2020 at 4:23 PM

    […] Pesto Shrimp and Pasta […]

  • Leave a Reply